Mansfield MP Ben Bradley calls for grass roots sports to continue during lockdown

During the Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s coronavirus statement in Parliament, Mr Bradley highlighted the importance of sport and exercise to the health and wellbeing of the nation.

He emphasised the fact that youth and children’s sports are low risk in terms of both age groups and the activities, while people can also undertake sports, such as golf, without coming into contact with anyone.

But Mr Johnson stood by his measures, saying: "There is a wide range of activities that many people would like to pursue, but the risk is that they will have chains of human contact whether they like it or not, and increase the risk of transmission.”

Mr Bradley said: “I’m doing my best to persuade Government to allow sports and activities to continue during lockdown.

"In my view, it would help people deal with the negative impacts, both physical and mental, of lockdown and I think that the benefits outweigh the risks.

“Kids have less PE opportunities due to Covid restrictions and their time spent outside is reduced due to the dark nights.

"It’s vital that we give children the chance to take part in activities, which are so important to their wellbeing.

“I’ve had a surge of emails about this issue, so I’m fully aware of how important this is to constituents.

“I’ll continue raising this with Government.”